But former Northern Ireland secretary says it will not help resolve matters

British soldiers accused over the Bloody Sunday killings will now almost certainly be arrested as a result of the Gerry Adams investigation, Peter Hain warned last night.

The former Northern Ireland Secretary said that the arrest of the Sinn Fein leader over the 1972 murder of Jean McConville showed that historic investigations on The Troubles had to be subject the same treatment on all sides.

Mr Adams was released without charge on Sunday evening after four days of questioning but a file is to be sent to prosecutors to decide whether a case can be brought.

The investigation came as up to 20 British soldiers still face being formally questioned by police for alleged murder, attempted murder or criminal injury after 13 civilians were shot dead in Londonderry in January 1972

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain (Christopher Pledger)

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There has been growing pressure, including from senior politicians and former military leaders, to draw a line after it emerged up to 200 “on-the-run” IRA suspects had been sent letters saying they were no longer wanted by the police.

But Mr Hain said: “The soldiers responsible for those terrible killings on Bloody Sunday, they will have to be arrested as a result of the inquiry going on.

“If it is one rule for Gerry Adams then it has to be the same rule for everyone. Personally I do not think that gets us anywhere.”

He said everyone should “pause and reflect on this whole experience and we should be careful what we wish for”.

Last week Kathryn Stone, Northern Ireland victims’ commissioner, said Mr Adams’ questioning demonstrated that all suspects “whoever they are” should face investigation if there are allegations against them.

She said the majority of victims would consider any form of amnesty as “beyond the pale”.